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New forum for parents and carers of children with special educational needs or disabilities

New forum for parents and carers of children with special educational needs or disabilities

20 June 2018

Barnsley Council is pleased to announce that it has awarded a two year contract to the national charity KIDS to develop and provide a parent carer forum for Barnsley residents who have children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

This follows a successful procurement process which took place earlier this year.

KIDS currently support over 13,500 disabled children, young people and their families every year by delivering over 120 services throughout England.

Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for People (Achieving Potential) said: “The role of KIDS will be to support the development of a parent carer forum in Barnsley to work with us as a local authority, as well as education settings, health providers and other providers, to make sure the services they plan and deliver meet the needs of disabled children and their families. I welcome KIDS in helping us to make sure that the voices of all parents are heard and acted upon.”

Forums usually have a steering group of parents who lead this work and listen to the views of other parents in the local area to make sure they know what is important to them.

KIDS Regional Director, Sue Cawkwell, said: “KIDS is delighted to be supporting and facilitating parent and carer participation and engagement in Barnsley.

“In the coming weeks and months we are looking forward to meeting and hearing the views of a wide range of parents both from existing groups and networks and also those new to participation; actively engaging with as many parents as possible.

“We will also be looking to develop a parents steering group to work closely with the local authority, SENDIASS, schools, settings and health providers.”

Local contact details will be made available soon. In the meantime, any parents wishing to be involved are asked to email Sue.Cawkwell@kids.org.uk